What criteria are used to select the winning poems?
We are looking for the finest lyric poems celebrating the spirit of life. For us a lyric poem is sung from the heart. This means, among other things, that it expresses personal experience. It may have qualities of beautiful wording and imagery, rhythmic melody, direct and intensely personal emotion, and personal vision or understanding. Celebrating the spirit of life suggests to us a poem that evokes appreciation for the worth of human being and the individual dignity of all beings, and brings to mind the most important aspects of life. We expect a fine lyric poem celebrating the spirit of life to invite the reader to rejoice in the wonderful vibrancy and resilience of the human spirit in face of the difficulties and obstacles that often arise, and to inspire the listener with its beauty and message when read aloud.
